FREE STATE

HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA

Student Handbook
2018-19

CONTACT INFO & SOCIAL MEDIA:

Judy Erpelding, Director of Orchestras
jerpeldi@usd497.org, 785-633-1377 (cell), 785-832-6050 x4358
Russell Clark, Assistant Director
reclark@usd497.org 785-832-6050 x4581

LFSHS Orchestra Website: www.freestateorchestras.weebly.com

Facebook: Free State High School Orchestras
Twitter: FS_Orchestra

ENSEMBLES
Freshman Orchestra: This non-audition orchestra is strings only orchestra for the entire year and
is for freshman only. Students will participate in the KSHAA Solo/Small Ensemble Festival in the
spring.

Concert Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This intermediate non-audition orchestra includes strings
only for the entire year. This ensemble will perform at concerts throughout the year, and students
have the option to participate in the KSHAA Solo/Small Ensemble Festival.

Philharmonic Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This advanced audition orchestra will perform at
concerts throughout the year as well as contest in the spring.

Symphonic Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This elite audition orchestra will perform at concerts
throughout the year as well as contest in the spring. Winds, brass and percussion students from
the band program are also added to this orchestra for some performances to allow for full
orchestral music opportunities.

Chamber Orchestra: Open to all grades 9-12. This is an audition extra curricular orchestra.
Rehearsals take place out side of the school day, and are required for all selected members.
Literature performed will be of the professional level for concerts and this ensemble will perform at
a variety of venues throughout the year including: weddings, meetings, retirement communities,
etc….

WELCOME
The Free State Orchestra program offers performing ensembles in a variety of settings. Progress of
these ensembles depends on the work of each member. These three characteristics are the
foundations of our success. It is important that each of us take these to heart, they are the key to true
success as an individual and as an ensemble.
COMMUNITY
The Free State Orchestra community is meant to have a family atmosphere, is made up of unique
and talented individuals who come to perform with, support and encourage each other. As you add
your talents to the LFSHS orchestra, remember to always work with a mature and positive attitude,
with respect for all.
COMMITMENT
Being a part of the LFSHS orchestra community raises the level of your commitment to others.
Honoring that commitment by being responsible and reliable with attendance and practice will benefit
both you and your ensemble(s).
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Every day we strive for excellence, whether in rehearsal or concert. Be enthusiastic, focus, and
always give 100% effort.

GOALS
The goals for each ensemble member are:
1. Play your instrument-build skills daily as a musician & share music with your peers.
2. Technique Building – focus on advanced left and right-hand techniques.
3. Literature – experience a wide variety of literature ranging in style and technical facility.
4. Musical Vocabulary – To discover new terms and techniques and how they expand our musical
experience.
5. Performance – To enjoy the rewards of hard work together in performance.

CLASSROOM REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

Before the bell:
1. Take out instrument, folder, sharpened pencil, and note the lesson plan on white board.
2. Throw away gum.
3. Store or throw away all drinks and food.
4. Ask to use the restroom or see the nurse only in an emergency! Please be responsible and take
care of this during your own time, not during our class time.
5. Pre-tune your instrument using a snark.
At the bell:
1. Be seated.
2. End all conversation.
3. Focus your attention on the group tuning activity, which will begin immediately.
4. Listen throughout our rehearsal, especially to other sections when you are not playing. When you
do, sections that are similar will not have to be repeated for you, and you can learn even more by
observing others while they rehearse.
REMEMBER: Each of you is essential to the success of the orchestra! You are all aware of the
importance of these expectations; your compliance is crucial for our growth and success. Let’s work
together to make our orchestra the best it can be, something we can take pride in.
Cell Phones: It is assumed students are in orchestra to play an instrument, not to use their phone.
Use of cell phone during class is not permitted, unless permission for use is given by the director.
Penalties are as follows:
o 1st time warning
o 2nd time taken away for the hour
o 3rd time taken away given to administration.
o 4th time taken away parents pick up

GENERAL INFORMATION
Orchestra is a Full Year Course: Due to the developmental nature of our subject area and the
cross-semester activities, orchestra is a full year course.
Students with a grade of “F” will lose all performance & travel privileges with orchestra.
Students must also meet the KSHSAA eligibility requirement to have passed 5 classes the
previous semester.
Transportation to Orchestra Events: is by school bus. Students are expected to sit facing forward,
store instruments in the seats, NOT in the aisle. Quiet conversation is allowed. Loud talking, singing,
yelling, etc., IS NOT. By school district policy students are not allowed to drive personal
vehicles or ride with other students to or from an orchestra performance
Private Lessons: Private lessons are strongly recommended, especially for the student who wishes
to participate in the more advanced ensembles. Lessons improve the students’ performance abilities
as well as the ensembles performance possibilities. A list of private teachers is available, and posted
in the orchestra classroom.
Lettering: Orchestra students are eligible to receive a varsity letter in orchestra. Lettering
expectations will be distributed at the beginning of each year.
Fundraising: Orchestra has 2-3 fundraisers on a non-trip year. Profit from these can range from a
set profit or a per item profit. Profit from these fundraisers go into the orchestra fund to pay festival
entries and other expenses.
Trip Years: The orchestra travels on a major out-of-state, music curriculum based trip every three
years. The current 2018-19 school year is a trip year. To be eligible to participate the student must be
enrolled in orchestra for both the fall and spring semesters of the trip year, and be in grades 10-12.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION

Credit is earned from four sources:
• Daily participation 30%
• Concert participation 30%
• Playing tests &/or written work 30%
• Community Support Project 10%
Daily participation points are earned for positive work in daily rehearsal. Students who are absent,
including excused absences and school activities, tardy, or who are missing materials like music or
instrument will lose daily participation points.
Daily participation make up: points may be made up through practice for the amount of time
missed, in combination with a parent signed practice sheet, and rehearsal self-assessment.
Tardies are unacceptable and impede the rehearsal of the ensemble. They will be dealt with as
follows:
Tardies: once per quarter will pass without incident. After that they will be dealt with according to
school policy, in addition to 3 points deducted (out of the total of 5 points possible) for daily
participation each day. Points deducted for tardy may not be made up.
To be early is to be on time!
Concerts are the main assessment of our work each grading period. Concerts are a demonstration of
the performance skills we’ve rehearsed. We also put into practice respectful listening skills and the
ability to show appreciation for the efforts of others. Concert participation is required. PLEASE MAKE
NOTE OF ALL DATES
Call Times: are 45 min. prior to performance times, unless otherwise noted by the directors. If a
student is late, points are deducted from the
final concert grade (10 points initially deducted, plus 1 point for every minute late).
Concert Make up: If a concert is missed with an excused absence (to be excused, notice must be
given to the director personally prior to the concert, and must be of unusual circumstances – ex:
illness, hospitalization, funeral, etc.), students have the opportunity to make up the missed credit by
completing the two tasks listed on the concert make up form.
Playing Tests: will evaluate performance skills including tone, technique, rhythm, intonation, tempo,
and interpretation. Each playing test will consist of one scale (major and/or minor), and an excerpt
from a piece of music currently being rehearsed for concert. Playing tests can be retaken within a
week of the original test date for grade only, seating in the ensemble will not be changed based upon
the retake grade.
Orchestra Placement: Playing tests will be used as a portion of the placement assessment. Each
test score from August to March will account 60% of the points used to determine placement. A final
audition/playing test in March over contest literature and sight-reading will account for the remaining
40% of points used to determine placement. Placement for orchestra is announced in May.
Written tests and worksheets: will evaluate listening skills, knowledge of the fundamentals of music
and other pertinent material covered in class.
Community Support Projects are designed to help you get involved in the broader orchestral
community here in Lawrence as well as in your own school. To earn these points, you may do one of
the services listed on the project form each semester, and write a brief report on your project.
The grading scale (expressed in percentages) is as follows:

100-90: A 89-80: B 79-70: C 69-60: D

CONCERT ATTIRE
Freshman and Concert Orchestras
Option 1: black trousers/dress pants (no denim), black socks, and black dress shoes (no athletic
shoes) with a black, button-down long-sleeved dress shirt (no prints), which shall be tucked in. District
will provide green satin neck tie that will be worn at each performance, student is responsible for tie
throughout the school year. If the tie is lost or damaged there is a $15 fee.
Option 2: black dress pants/trousers (no jeans or leggings). Black dress shirt, short-sleeved or long-
sleeved only. No sleeveless, no tanks or
straps. Layering in dressy black to cover arms is acceptable. Absolutely no print allowed on shirt or
pants. Shoes should be black low-heeled comfortable dress shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS.
Philharmonic and Symphonic Orchestras
Option 1: will wear district-provided tuxedos and must supply their own black dress shoes and black
socks. Students must present themselves in a professional manner and with a professional
appearance. Tuxedo WHITE shirts should be washed at least twice during the school year.
Option 2: will wear the district provided black formal top and pants. Students must supply their own
black dress shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS. Students must present themselves in a professional manner
and with a professional appearance. Tops and pants should be washed at least twice during the
school year.

All Musicians
-No jewelry (except small earrings)
-No large, brightly colored bows in hair.

Uniforms are to be returned no later than Tuesday, May 14 following our final performance.
They do not need to be dry-cleaned. Uniforms received after Friday, May 17 will be subject to
a $20 late fee.

ORCHESTRA FOLDERS AND MUSIC

Orchestra members are issued folders and are responsible for all music and materials assigned to
that folder. The orchestra member who has lost or badly damaged music will receive a 20-point grade
deduction from the daily participation category, and will have to pay for lost/damaged music. Failure
to pay for lost or damaged music will result in not getting your report card until the fine is paid to the
district, and potentially sent to collections.

INK and/or HIGHLIGHTER should NEVER be used to mark music!

PENCIL ONLY!!!!

Rehearsal Reminder: Always mark your part when you are given an instruction. Use a pencil!
(Example: bowings, articulation, dynamic markings, phrasing, and descriptive words). Failure to do so
will result in loss of daily participation points.

ALL ORCHESTRA MUSIC IS TO BE RETURNED THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CONCERT.

PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.











 FSHS Orchestra Concert & Rehearsal Dates
2018/19 Season

August
Wed. 8/15 Concerto/Aria Auditions 6:00 pm All Interested LHS Auditorium
Wed. 8/15 First day for Freshman am only Freshman No Instruments
Thu. 8/16 All Students first day reg. schedule All students BRING INSTRUMENTS
Friday. 8/17 Orchestra rehearsal reg. schedule All orchestras BRING INSTRUMENTS
Friday 8/17 Freshman Parent Meeting 6:00 pm Freshman Commons
Friday 8/17 FSHS Orchestra Fun Night 6:45-8:00 pm All Groups Commons
Mon. 8/20 Chamber Orchestra Auditions 3:15-5:00 All Interested Auditorium
st
Tue. 8/21 1 Chamber Rehearsal 5:45 pm All Auditioned Orch. Room
**Chamber rehearsals to continue throughout the year on Tuesdays from 5:45-7:00pm or Wednesday 8:00-8:50am
September
Fri. 9/15 Foundations Breakfast 6:30am Chamber Orchestra Double Tree
TBA Homecoming Parade Float TBA All Interested (limited)
October
Friday 10/5 Kansas City Symphony Field Trip All Day All Groups Kansas City
Wed. 10/10 Freshman KC Strings Field Trip During Class Freshman Orch. KC Strings
Thu. 10/18 Fall Concert/Trip Meeting 6:30pm Conc, Phil., Sym. Auditorium
Tue. 10/23 Freshman Fall Concert 7:00pm Freshman Auditorium
November
Sat. 11/10 KMEA District Auditions All Day All Interested Eudora
December
Sat. 12/1 KMEA District Mini Convention All Day All Selected
Wed. 12/12 Freshman Tour (West & SW) 9:00am-2:30pm Freshman West & SW MS
Tue. 12/18 Pop’s Orchestra Concert/Trip Meeting6:30 pm All Groups Auditorium
January
Sat. 1/5 All State Orchestra Auditions All Day All Selected Salina
1/17-1/23 LA Orchestra Trip Multiple days All enrolled Los Angeles
February
Sat. 2/2 Annual Mattress Fundraiser All Day All Groups Commons
Sat. 2/2 Regional Piano Festival All Day All Interested Baldwin
Sat 2/16 State Piano Festival All Day All Qualified Wichita State
2/21-2/23 KMEA State Convention All Day All Selected Wichita
2/27-28 Regional Festival Auditions TBA Fr, Phil, Sym. FSHS
March
Mon. 3/4 Orchestra Outreach Concert 1:30pm-8:30pm Symphonic DeSoto High
Tue. 3/5 Orchestra Outreach Concert 1:30pm-8:30pm Phil/Chamber Eudora High
3/4-3/7 FSHS Placement Auditions TBA All Groups FSHS
Thu. 3/28 North Area String Festival 7:30 pm Sym/Phil FSHS Gym
April
Sat. 4/6 Reg. Solo/Small Ens. Fest. All Day All Selected Shawnee Hts.
Thu. 4/11 State Large Ens. Festival TBA Phil & Sym. LHS
Sat. 4/27 State Solo/Small Ens. Fest. All Day All Selected Washburn Rural
Mon. 4/29 Letter Forms Due All Day All Classes FSHS

May
Fri 5/3 Freshman World’s of Fun Festival All Day Freshman Orchestra WOF
Mon. 5/13 AWARDS CONCERT 6:30 All Groups FSHS
Tue. 5/14 Uniform Turn in All Day All Groups FSHS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

After both student and parent/guardian have read the handbook together, please sign both
names below indicating the understanding guidelines and responsibilities of the orchestra year.
The deadline for returned signed agreements is Tuesday, AUGUST 21st. Following this date
students will not receive full credit for this assignment.

This is to certify that I have received and read the 2018-19 Free State Orchestra Handbook and
understand the expectations presented and will observe all guidelines found therein.

___________________________________________________
(STUDENT’S NAME PRINTED)

___________________________________________________ _____________________
(STUDENT’S SIGNATURE) Date

I have received and read the 2018-19 Free State Orchestra Handbook and understand the
expectations presented and how they apply to my orchestra student.

___________________________________________________ _____________________
(PARENT/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE) Date

___________________________________________________________________________
Best parent email address for regular communication (please write legibly)

_______________________________________
Best contact phone number for parents

___________________________________________________________________________
Best STUDENT email address for regular communication (please write legibly)